Who Will Direct Paranormal Activity 2?

When Paranormal Activity started to become a success and was eventually hailed as the most profitable movie of all time, you just knew Paramount would be lining up a sequel. Some liked the idea because of the open ending of the first film, while others (such as yours truly) feel that one is enough.

Last month we learned the surprising news that because of contractual obligations, the director who was going to helm Paranormal Activity 2, Kevin Greutert, had to switch back to the (rival?) Saw franchise to helm Saw VII. This was something the director wasn’t too happy about (as indicated by what he wrote on his website) and since the director of the original Paranormal Activity, Oren Peli, is off doing his next project, Area 51, that left Paranormal Activity 2 without a director.

That changes today, however, as the LA Times is reporting a shortlist of directors who may helm the Paranormal Activity sequel. There are three in total (that are mentioned – there may be more) and two of them won’t be that surprising. But I’m going to guess that one of the three names will have you staring at your computer in confusion.

The surprising name attached to the project is none other than Brian De Palma. Yes, THAT Brian De Palma. The man behind classics like Scarface, Carlito’s Way and Carrie is reportedly in the running for Paranormal Activity 2.

Now, those of you worried that a sequel to such a movie would end up in the same horrendous state as that pointless sequel to The Blair Witch Project (probably PA‘s closest relative in terms of style) can now breathe a little easier. If De Palma did end up directing PA 2 then it would certainly elevate the project, not to mention provide a better chance of it being, you know… good.

Of course, De Palma is just one of the names attached to the project and the others are: Brad Anderson, director of the The Machinist, Transsiberian and a few episode of Fringe and Greg McLean who was the director of the Australian horror movie, Wolf Creek. LA Times also mentions that A Beautiful Mind writer, Akiva Goldsman, was also in the mix at one point, but for whatever reason he isn’t anymore.

I’m still a little surprised and rather confused why someone like De Palma would even consider doing something like this. It’s not as if he needs the work so perhaps it was the success and ingenuity of the first that attracted him to the project.

But I have to say, I don’t know if De Palma’s style would gel all that well with the world of Paranormal Activity. One of the other directors (particularly Wolf Creek‘s Greg McLean) would be my pick. But of course I’m not making the decisions so they may end up going with De Palma to bring as much attention and interest to the sequel as possible.

What do you think of the shortlist of directors for Paranormal Activity 2? Does De Palma being on that list surprise you? Who would you choose of those three?

Paranormal Activity 2 is set to battle with Saw VII during Halloween this year with a release date of October 22nd, 2010.